Who Sang the Gethsemane High Note Best? Ft. John Legend & More! | Jesus Christ Superstar | TUNE

[@Nop48]

WHEN IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT BEN FORESTER. THE CLARITY. THE EMOTION.

[@kai-ph5hr]

THANK YOU!! The emotion he conveys in the performance is second to none

[@seanmartin1212]

You're right. The powerlessness, grief, fear, anger, resignation, clarity, musical accuracy and power of Ben Forster's high note are so strong as to make the others sound like they are "talk singer", as Rex Harrison did in his role in "My Fair Lady".

[@extraspicytigerroll]

Such a phenomenal performance ❤❤❤

[@denisekeegan9548]

No one does this song in my opinion better than NEELY I HAVE WATCHED IT PROBABLU 35 or more times! Gets me in the ❤ ALWAYS AND… he went on and lived this role

[@NeonBitchGetDaMoney]

Only Ian in my opinion

[@jerryseawood2704]

Ted is a Goat, but check out Steve Balasmo. He's a very, very close second if not on the same level. Amazing

[@benjaminfoster7560]

You should look up videos of Ian McIntosh, the recent UK Tour Jesus, it was an unearthly experience witnessing his Gethsemane.

[@DarianStanislaus]

MICHAEL JACKSON BENFORSTER JOHNLEGEND TEDNEELEY

[@princessbolden3111]

Ted , Ian and Steve , are the best. I feel like everyone else took the easy way to approach or avoided the note bc it was out of their powerhouses.

[@idrilaldarion8088]

I saw Ben Forster sing this live and he was note perfect and his performance was so emotional, I loved it. But I cannot deny that they all do a wonderful job. I can't choose between Ted, Steve or Ben the three of them are so fantastic.

[@lukehenry5987]

John Legend is an amazing performer and singer. This out of his wheelhouse tho.

[@kev7161]

I always thought so. He's not so much a decent actor and the music of JCS is a challenge for most anyway. He was miscast for sure.

[@britmate]

It was never in his wheelhouse to begin with. He shouldn't have been cast in such a role. Not his style nor vocal range..

[@janmajer4662]

His 'note' was so pathetic, especially hearing it after Forster lol..

[@britmate]

@@janmajer4662 Forster is a popular favourite, but in reality there's many more who've vocally performed much better.

[@janmajer4662]

@@britmate Yeah, personaly I like Neeley's version the most. Do you know Kamil Střihavka? He sang the Czech version, it's very good and unique.

[@StubbyandShifu]

I saw a touring company in the 90s with Ted Neeley, Dennis Deyoung, and Irene Cara. It was astounding.

[@martiscats]

I did as well. Neeley in person - I have no words. The dvd stays in my player all the time as I will rewatch whenever I need a mood lift. Ted Neeley is the GOAT.

[@shelleys9603]

Ted Neeley, greatest ever.

[@stephanogoodson9074]

Ted neeley hands down .tone power conviction. Simplyvthe best

[@TOMReefer]

Ted is the man! By far the best

[@davidcottrell1308]

BY FAR!!!

[@janmajer4662]

Forster held the note as a boss, but Ted sounds just so much better, I don't know why. It's something in his voice, it's perfect.

[@GleamingRake]

​@janmajer4662 from a technical standpoint you can hear that Ted's note is more resonant which means the sound is stronger and clearer. Ben's high note is a definitely weaker. You can definitely hear that Ted's high note is really "released", while Ben is pushing and struggling to sing that high. A clear sign of this is the presence of vibrato (that slight wobbly sound) in Ted's high note which indicates that the sound is really free and well-placed and more resonant. On top of that, since his note is so free and easy, Ted's is able to add distortion (that scream-like quality) which would actually damaging his voice if he was pushing the sound like Ben is. Hope this gave you some insight into why Neely's singing is so good.

[@Magusjake]

John Legend didn't do the song justice but, he did a great high note and lots of passion. He was just not quite as distinct in the other parts of the song. Ted Neely and Ben Foster both did excellent in the styles of rock their productions embodied. Of the two, I give the nod to Ben Foster. He kept his voice in a higher pitch through the whole song. Michael Ball gave a unique performance that was pure Broadway. It lacked the rock soul but, had all the passion but lacked the high note.

[@tijay67]

Ben used chest and head voices..

[@jtee5957]

@@tijay67 Yep, Legend used weak falsetto. Wrong for the moment.

[@davidcottrell1308]

I love John Legend for many things...but JCSS was not the role for him...just doesn't have the voice for it. Still love him!!!

[@jenniferhiemstra5228]

We have to remember that the scream note was never intended in the first place, it was something done off the cuff in the recording studio. I think it was Ian? Don't recall offhand, but since that recording, it became standard and expected. In fact, I don't mind John in this if it weren't for that rock scream expectation. His soft RnB flair I found quite nice, but I also knew that his voice was going to pay the price for doing a role that is rock at its core. I prefer the more edgy rock voice for this, but by no mans dis John do terrible, believe me when I say there's been WAAYYYY worse...

[@cluckcluckchicken]

@@davidcottrell1308 He has a great voice, it's just a completely different range! I wish they'd cast him as a different part, like Simon Zealotes. Unfortunately I think they only cast him as Jesus so they could have a celebrity in the lead role.

[@lynnemulcahy9437]

Only Ted Neeley has been able to give the depth and power needed for Gethsemane, which is what Andrew Lloyd Webber wanted!

[@leehetherington1304]

Ian gillan for me but why was he not included?

[@anamariachocano5508]

Every guy in this video sing well ;but for me Ted Neely is in another level.the Best Performance totally!!!❤

[@nancyadams7218]

Hands down Ted Neeley!!!!!

[@RodrigoMartinez-sy4qd]

By far Ted Neely on the film!!!

[@MzUniverse]

John Legend might not have the range for the rol but his rendition was still v passionate, gave me chills! Steve Balsamo is my favorite, though ❤

[@MaraSamaniego-b5b]

Todas las interpretaciones son extraordinarias, pero la de Ted es definitivamente mi preferida!

[@missfunk5]

Steve Balsamo is my favourite, saw him play it twice, then l moved to Italy and Ted Neeley came back did a tour of it, he is the OG but Steve's voice gets to me more x

[@bgmaple47232]

Ted Neely! Always has been my favorite since I first encountered this musical.

[@vickihshallenberger3644]

Ted Neeely-he is,forever the Best❤❤❤❤

[@andreakarlsson4776]

Ted Neeley is the best EVER!!!!!!

[@KarenWatson-w9x]

Got the album at 13, saw the play on Broadway on a school trip in 1972, fell madly in love with it. I've seen it performed by many artists over 30 times. Who hits the high note best is hard to define because the performance shouldn't be defined by just the one note. Some of these artists hit the note beautifully but the note needs a voice that can build to it and bring it back down with emotion and in my honest opinion Neely delivered that best. His performance truly delivered a panicked, doubtful man questioning his faith and his creator, not just a man trying to get to and hit a very high note.

[@martiscats]

Very well articulated. I have been an obsessed JCSS fan since high school in the 70's and I was fortunate enough to see Ted Neeley perform live in the touring company version in the 90's. He was astounding then and still is today.

[@retrotawka5474]

Neeley every time. The others did a great job but this is always Ted Neeley's

[@fisch6869]

the original is the original - all other are great performers - but for me, Ted, unreachable

[@pamelariker5525]

Dan Vasc absolutely slays it! and I've seen a few of them.

[@ralphangelotactay2952]

6:06 Yeah! Ted Neeley...

[@myles8328]

Not to impugn all the brilliant performances shown, Steve Balsamo’s performance at the Lyceum back in 1999 (ish) was the finest and most jaw dropping rendition of Gethsemane I’ve ever heard.

[@karenmack3307]

Steve is the best!!!

[@missfunk5]

Totally agree, l was so in awe of that particular production that l went twice. Steve balsamo have me in tears both times. Bloody amazing.

[@patriciasnyder6915]

Ted Neeley and then Ben Forster of these 4.

[@LindaGyftopoulos]

Yed Neeley definitely set the standard for Gethsemane. On a par is a young Brazilian heavymtal singer and KZbinr called Daniel Vasconcelos who goes by the professional name Dan aVasc, atruly mesmerizing performance. Superb renditions we're also sung by the first Jesus from the original Broadway stage production of Jesus Christ superstar, the amazing late Jeff Fenholt, by Ian Gillan and an amazing hard rock singer from Belarus, Petr Elfimov.These 5 men are the elite of Gethsemane, in my book. And I would call myself a Gethsemane connoisseur, having seen and heard them all, beginning with the Broadway stage production

[@stephanogoodson9074]

Ted neeley hands down. Power tone conviction control ..simply the best

[@kylsh1]

Ted Neely, close second Ben Forster…❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💪💪🔥🔥🤘🤘🤘🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@annaoddi2257]

Agreed

[@Maccalemx]

My favorite versions are Ted Neely in English and Camilo Sesto in Spanish❤

[@RobertoEfeme-by1ne]

La manera de cantar de Ted es simplemente de otro planeta.

[@ToddCT-ko8kf]

JL was out of his element but kind of enjoyed it. All others are fine but no one does it justice like Ted Neeley, his emotional connection is otherworldly.

[@Sage-slay]

Ben Forster is incredible live as Jesus. So is Luke Street who preformed the role in Southampton this week. Two very different productions but amazing vocals. Ted’s version is incredible as well and he will always be the GOAT.

[@renedebosscher6669]

I have seen over a dozen productions of this classic, including Ted Neely and Carl Anderson live, but the best portrayal of Jesus I ever saw was a traveling production starring William Daniel Gray.

[@ucchilds8223]

Bonus points for Michael Ball not even bothering to try to hit a note out of his range. But the answer is always going to be Ted Neeley. He rocks it.

[@pureheaven8647]

I have seen Ben Foster do it live and it is spell binding but no one does it Ted Neely (in the movie)

[@RocketinExile]

Gillan all the way. The only one to not over sing it. And the original.

[@lilkin8336]

Ted Neeley my love forever❤❤❤

[@janita444]

John Farnham should be there too, he was bloody brilliant! The amount of emotion he transmitted in that performance was mindblowing and breathtaking. Also, without using falsetto on any of his high notes. For me the best, hands down ❤

[@annaoddi2257]

Agreed.

[@jackyjansen1012]

Ben forster for me

[@joywilson9212]

Ben Forster

[@CateGrey-c12]

Steve Balsamo is the best imho. Legend never should have taken on that role. Neely is fantastic but Steve Balsamo moved me to tears. He was born to sing that role.

[@GeometryGav]

Ted Neeley is great, Ian Gillan's great, Steve Balsamo is phenomenal, Ben Forster is insane, and Paul Nolan is remarkable. Balsamo is my personal favorite though.

[@Anatolij86]

It's crazy how the original film got the definitive version of all the main characters right the first try.

[@williamfairchild7439]

Ben Forster in the 2012 Arena Tour which I saw in Sheffield

[@disney4real]

Steve Balsamo for the win by a mile!

[@kayh9793]

Neely by far the best!

[@fordellforest1311]

Ian Gillian simply can't be beaten. Ted Neely in second. John Legend in third, but he has the added challenge of a live performance. Ian Gillian is known for his studio recording and Ted Neely for the movie (though he DID hit the note when I saw him in the live play).

[@sidnac6545]

Ted Neeley is the absolute best! I know a lot of people argue that Ian Gillan, who was the original singer, prior to the movie even being filmed, is the best, but Ted Neeley will always have my vote! His voice just hits all the right spots and even just his timing of the words and the emphasis is certain places is spot on! They sure chose right when they picked him for the movie!!

[@Axisbold]

Neely is my second favorite. IMHO Everyone seems to pause to gear up for that note. Gillan just flows right into it. It's scary beautiful. But Neely is great too!

[@tijay67]

Not a chance

[@britmate]

1. Ted Neeley - the movie (timeless) 2. Steve Balsamo - best of theatre Who the heck said Ben Forster lol. His chest/head resonance with the falsetto is *much* weaker compared to Neely/Balsamo. Any vocal coach will tell you that.

[@britmate]

@@canyouplsgoaway What do you mean by 'sound better'? Technically compared to John Legend and Michael Ball, yes. Compared to Balsamo and others, no.

[@alpa_alpa]

Ted Neely the best ever

[@strayedspirit]

Michael sang it marvellously, goosebumps every time! As for Ted, he delivers the best rock opera, he’s insane.

[@s.ehinger8552]

Beide haben wunderschöne Stimmen! Beide passen für mich wunderbar für die Rolle von Jesus!

[@bartelbyfloats]

Ben Forster went to the Glenn Carter School of Acting. Grumble, shout random words, shriek like Mickey Mouse.

[@KathyWatts-f7j]

Ted Neeley for sure!

[@SledDog5678]

Michael Ball has an amazing voice. Met him on a cruise ship in 2008.

[@AnnPoulter]

Ted Neeley and Ben Forster hands down. Magnificent

[@random_elephant4146]

Unfortunately not in there but my favourite Jesus is Oedo Kuipers (and Otto Jaus as Judas)! I just love his interpretation of this song, I always get goosebumps when I hear it

[@kristimarriner7673]

Of these 4, Ted Neely. In my opinion, no one tops Ian Gillan though. Would love to see Matt Heafy of Trivium or Howard Jones of Light The Torch cover it.

[@Kabra2012]

No disrespect to the other singers, but Neely is the only one who nailed the tormented expression - the power of the song comes from the uniquely humanizing way it frames Jesus in his most vulnerable moment. The emotion is so raw you can forget sometimes that it's a song. The others felt. . . . too show tunes-y in comparison? Technically sound performances all round (wasn't a fan of the drop on the "Alright I'll die" part on all the non-Neely versions mind), but I'm still waiting for the true successor to Neely's Jesus.

[@celestialdzign7829]

This video actually leaves out the person who sings it best and that is the original singer on the original soundtrack recording Ian Gillan of Deep Purple. His voice is rich. It has depth it has timbre, it has emotion that so many others lack in the voice alone, not in the acting ability, but in the voice. The role was actually written for Ian Gillan, but Deep Purple was touring and Ian didn’t want the band to lose money because he went to do the side project of Jesus Christ superstar so he wanted the band to be paid. Andrew Lloyd Webber said no and so Ian said no thank you. No one will ever sing this role better than Ian Gillan. And if you can’t do that high belting rock scream then you shouldn’t even be attempting this song.

[@samlong1966]

Ted is the GOAT!!!! The best❤️❤️

[@karenwillems5210]

ben forister

[@SledDog5678]

Ted Neely!

[@greenaways]

John Farnham, Australian cast 1992 by far. Unsurpassable. Not falsetto either!

[@canyouplsgoaway]

BEN FORSTER FOREVER 🗣️

[@dvonshevon]

Ted Neely probably comes pretty close to perfection but for me The Original Concept Album with Ian Gillan has the best version of Gethsemane.

[@katherinep-d3657]

Ben Forster ! Fantastic and moving

[@literallyadele]

It was an incredibly difficult decision, but I'm going with Ben Forster. Though, I would like to say that the I felt Michael Ball gave the best 'Alright I'll die' line. Such sadness, resignation, and despair in that one line.

[@saludfuncional7908]

ted 100%

[@anamariachavez7958]

TED NEELY!

[@reneeward9178]

💯💯💯Neely "hight note"

[@Rednaxela137]

Ben was the best overall…I only like Ted because of his rock falsetto, I liked Michael’s version too but it was leaning more towards a classical style…John Legend (when in his style has an amazing voice) just seems like he was trying too hard, idk what he did towards the end that changes his vocal color but THAT was not it (sounded like he was gonna lose his voice)

[@romana34]

Honestly none of the performances were bad, they all had a lot of passion. For my fav I’d have to go w/ Ben and Michael Crawford (look him up, the OG phantom does a fantastic version of this song)

[@ivycutler1907]

Ian Gillan, Ted Neeley, Dan Vasc, Steve Balsamo., Ben Forster, ..Sebastian Bach.......Micheal Ball... Last place John Legend

[@pablomedina9959]

Listen Camilo sesto and leo Jiménez versions .

[@peterlisa4001]

Ted Neely,by far.

[@waynebaxter3692]

Steve Balsamo does this song justice.

[@Tigersfan1987]

Ben Forster did it the best

[@Musettube]

TED NEELY

[@SamKhatriOfficial]

Definitely Ben forester and Ted Neeley

[@vcka]

ben forster

[@ianschleicher9901]

For me it’s Ben and Michael. But all these singers did amazing jobs!

[@PoliticalWunderkind]

Of the folks in this video, Neeley. My overall ranking would be 1) Steve Balsamo 2) Camilo Sesto 3) Ted Neeley

[@karenmack3307]

Steve is the best!!

[@okemosi]

Ben Forster for sure, amazing performance

[@alangroskreutz235]

Of these four, only Ted Neely brings the emotion and the range. A more interesting comparison would be between Neeley, Ian Gillian, and Camilo Sesto. All three bring the full range of emotions and power.

[@dawnbehen2780]

Ted Neely for the win.

[@aces0730]

Ben Forster was FANTASTIC. Ted Neely is the original and set the precedent. John Legend doesn’t have the higher falsetto but took a good shot at it. Michael Ball was too traditional Broadway.

[@juangelfernandez1131]

MICHAEL BALL : ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS.

[@dand3953]

Ted Neeley blew it out better than any of these others.

[@bobgreen1236]

No one…. NO ONE sings this like Ted…

[@devonwhyte844]

There is only one person that can sing this and that is Ian Gillan.

[@EMPRESSGLADYS]

John Legend punted on the "Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy."

[@olicochrane]

all were good, but Ted was miles above the rest

[@lynnstewart2326]

Michael Ball. Hands down!!

[@MJ2761-p1z]

Only Ted Neely

[@michaelmilless7310]

This is a collection of very talented vocalists, but no one, and I do mean NO ONE can match Ian Gillan's power and range on this song.

[@brendapierce5820]

Ben Forester put more strength into the song

[@canyouplsgoaway]

Gethsemane is the most difficult piece out of the entire musical to perform. John Legend really should not have touched this role, sorry. Love Ben Always ❤

[@jeffturner2693]

Like blasphemy for him to play this role

[@michaelhealy1590]

Ben!